Dredging apparatus



Dec. 10, 1963 v. M. VUSKOVICH 1 3,113,339

DREDGING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1962 Q 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jud? INVENTOR 3 J9 -L I I 52 g Emmi/I! fiasiara/ Dec. 10, 1963 v. M. vusKovlcH 3,113,389

DREDGING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet I2 TNVENTOR likwezzhll. Karim 1212 BY 1 z W I4; ATTORNEYS v. M. VUSKOVICH 3,113,389

DREDGING APPARATUS Deb. 10, 1963 Filed Dec. 5, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent "ice 3,113,389 DREDGING APPARATUS Vincent M. Vuslrovieh, New Orleans, La, assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-fourth to Favors, Vuskovieh and Battistell, Inc., New Orleans, La, a corporation of Louisiana and three-fourths to William T. Carpenter Filed Dec. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 242,594 8 Claims. (Cl. 37-119) This invention relates to a dredging apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water.

In the ground fishing industry it has been found that dredging for marine matter deposited or embedded in the bottoms of rivers, lakes, oceans and the like can be considerably more profitable than conventional com mercial fishing methods. Such dredging has been employed with considerable success in those locations where the bottoms of the bodies of water are relatively even and free from various forms of obstructions. However, in the past it has not been feasible and most often not possible to dredge the bottom of a body of water having arr irregular surface, with conventional dredging apparatus.

Accordingly, it is the general object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter deposited on the bottom of a body of water having an irregular surface.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus suitable for dredging marine shells and the like at least partially embedded in a soft bottom of a body of water having various immovable obstructions such as boulders, rocks and other debris also embedded therein.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved dredging apparatus having novel raking or scraper means for dislodging marine shells embedded in soft mud bottoms of rivers, lakes, oceans and the like having immovable obstructions and also having a trailing perforate receptacle means for collecting the loosened shells wherein snagging or catching of the raking or scraper means and the receptacle means is prevented.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved dredging apparatus which is inexpensive to manufaoture, simple to operate, and requires a minimum amount of maintenance.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description when read in conjunction the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the invention shown in its normal use environment;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged top view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, having a portion thereof broken away;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 1, also illustrating the invention in an additional operative position in broken lines;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIGURE 6-; and

3,113,389 Patented Dec. 10, 1963 FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

in accordance with the broad aspects of the present invention there is provided an apparatus suitable for dredging marine shells and the like deposited and embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water comprising a frame, yieldable raking or scraper means mounted on the frame and projecting downwardly therefrom for dislodging the embedded shells and a trailing perforate receptacle means attached to the apparatus for collecting the loosened shells therein. The raking or scraper means is adapted to yield and several lift at least the bottom peripheral segment of the receptacle means upon contact with an immovable obstruction in the line of travel of the apparatus so as to prevent the snagging or catching of either the raking means or receptacle means with the particular obstruction.

Referring to FIGURES 1 through 4, there is shown a body of water 23 having an irregular bottom 21 to be dredged. The irregular bottom 21 has both a deposit of marine shells 22 and various immovable objects designated generally as at 23. The dredging apparatus 24- as shown comprising the preferred embodiment of the invention is adapted to be towed by a suitable surface craft 25 by means of a cable 26 connected to a winch mechanism 27 on the surface craft 25. The dredging apparatus 24 comprises a substantially pyramidally shaped frame 23 on its side comprising a pair of substantially triangularly shaped side sections 23 and 30 joined together at their apices within a terminal housing 3 1 and spaced apart at the opposite ends thereof having a suitable link 32 for connecting the cable 26 to the apparatus. The side sections 29 and 31) are secured together by upper cross bar members 33 and 34 and similar cross bar members disposed below the upper cross bar members. The side section 29 comprises an upper bar member 35 and a lower bar member 36 joined at their forward ends within the terminal housing 31 having the rearward ends thereof connected by an arcuate bar member 37. Suitable bracing members interconnect the bar members 35 and 36. Similarly, side section 36 comprises an upper bar member 38 and a lower bar member 39 joined at their forward ends within the terminal housing 31 having an arcuate bar member 40 connecting the rearward ends thereof. Sui-table bracing members interconnect the bar members 33 and 39, as shown in FIGURE 3. The lower bar members 36 and 39 define a triangular base and are provided with suitable runners 41 and 42 which are disposed on the bottoms thereof and are inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom.

Disposed between the end portions of the lower bar members 36 and 39 and extending transversely relative to the centerline of the apparatus is a movable cross bar member 43 carried by a pair of carrier arm members 44 and 45 extending upwardly and inwardly being hingedly attached for pivotal movement in vertical planes to brackets 46 and 47 depending from upper bar members 35 and 33, respectively. The movable cross bar member 43 is provided with a plurality of transversely spaced, rigidly attached raking or scraper teeth 43 which extend downwardly from the plane passing through the lower bar members 36 and 39. Interconnecting the arm members 44 and 45 and the lower bar members 36 and 39 to bias the movable cross bar 43 downwardly or in clockwise direction relative to FIGURE 3, are suitable spring members 49, 50 and 51, 52, respectively. As best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, there is provided a substantially flexible net 53 of mesh material peripherally secured to the upper cross bar member 34, arcuate bar members 37 and 4t) and movable cross bar member 43. It will be appreciated that sufiicient material is provided to permit movement of the cross bar member relative to the members of the frame to which the net 53 is secured.

As the dredging apparatus 24 is towed along the bottom of a body of water as shown in FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the frame 28 will be tilted upwardly at the forward end thereof so that the runners 41 and 42 ride in the soft bottom 21 and barring any obstructions, the movable cross arm member 43 will be urged downwardly or in a clockwise direction relative to FIGURE 3 by means of the spring members 49-52, so that the raking or scraper teeth 48 project into the soft bottom 21 to rake embedded marine shells and the like which are caused to be moved rearwardly over the movable cross arm member 43 and be collected in the flexible net 53. Under normal operating conditions the biasing force of the springs is sufiicient to urge the movable bar downwardly to project the raking or scraper teeth 48 into the soft bottom 21. However, whenever the teeth 48 engage an immovable object, the movable bar 43 moves upwardly, counterclockwise relative to FIGURE 3 against the biasing action of the springs 49-52 to lift the bottom portion of the net 53 and also to permit the raking teeth 48 to ride over the obstacle. It will be noted that the yielding movement of the movable cross bar member 4-3 prevents either the raking teeth 48 or the bottom of the net 53 from becoming snagged or caught on any immovable object which the raking teeth 48 may encounter. After the frame 28 has bypassed the immovable object, the biasing action of the springs 49-52 urge the movable cross bar member 43 downwardly to project the raking teeth 48 into the soft bottom 21 to resume the raking of the marine shells 22 embedded therein.

FIGURE 5 discloses a second embodiment of the present invention which is generally similar to the first embodiment except for the construction of the raking means. As shown, there is provided a movable cross bar member 43b carried by a pair of arm members similar to those described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1-4. Mounted on the movable cross bar member 43b for pivotal movement thereon in vertical planes is a plurality of transversely spaced raking teeth 4812 which normally project downwardly below the bottom of the dredging apparatus. Each raking tooth 48b is biased for pivotal movement in a clockwise direction relative to FIGURE 5 by a spring 54a which interconnects theupper end portion of the raker tooth 48b with a post member 55a secured to the movable cross bar member 43b. Similar to the construction of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, each of the connecting arm members is biased in a clockwise direction by suitable spring members. The flexible net 53b is peripherally attached to the upper cross bar member 3412, the movable cross bar member 43b and the arcuate bar members of the side frames. As will be appreciated in the operation of this embodiment, whenever any of the raking teeth 48b encounter a relatively small immovable object embedded in the soft bottom, they will be caused to pivot counterclockwise relative to FIGURE 5, while the remaining unobstructed teeth continue to rake marine shells which are moved rearwardly over the movable cross bar member 43b to be collected by the flexible net 53b. As soon as such teeth bypass the particular immovable object, the spring 54a returns the teeth back to the downwardly projecting, raking position. It Will be noted that each of the raking teeth 48b operate independently of each other.

Whenever a substantially larger immovable object is encountered by any of the teeth, the engaging teeth will first pivot counterclockwise to the maximum extent of their travel until they contact the movable cross bar member 4312, which then is caused to pivot upwardly against the biasing action of the spring members 49a-52a to lift at least the bottom portion of the flexible net 53b, thus permitting the entire frame to ride over the particular obstruction. It will be obvious that the apparent advantage of this particular embodiment is that only individual raking teeth will be displaced upon encountering relatively small immovable objects while the remainder of the teeth continue to rake marine shells and cause them to be deposited in the flexible net 53b. However, when comparatively larger immovable objects are encountered, the engaging tooth 48b will pivot to its maximum travel and then engage the movable cross bar member 43b to lift the entire assembly.

The embodiment shown in FIGURES 6 through 8 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, and differs only in that a plurality of independently acting movable cross bar members are provided. Specifically, there is provided a plurality of transversely aligned movable cross bar members 43d, each carried by an arm member 440, which is connected to a transversely extending hanger bar 59 for pivotal movement in a vertical plane. The hanger bar 59 is secured to the upper bar members of the side sections. Each of the movable cross bar members 43d is provided with a plurality of raking teeth 48d which depend therefrom and are adapted to project into the soft bottom to be dredged. The arm members 44c are biased for pivotal movement in a clockwise direction relative to FIGURE 6, by means of suitable spring members 4% and 5015 which interconnect each of arm members 540 and a transversely extending lower anchor rod 60 supported by suitable bracket members disposed on the lower bar members of the side sections of the frame. The flexible net 53d is peripherally secured to a transversely extending limit bar 61 disposed substantially above the hanger bar 59 and supported by the upper bar members of the side sections of the frame, the arcuate bar members and each of the movable cross bar members 43d.

As illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 8, the arm members 440 are normally biased for pivotal movement in a clockwise direction relative to FIGURE 6, causing the raking teeth 48d to project downwardly into the soft bottom to be dredged. As the apparatus is towed along, the raking teeth 48d rake the marine shells 22 embedded in the soft bottom 21, causing them to be moved rearencounter an immovable obstruction, the corresponding movable cross bar member 43d will be caused to pivot counterclockwise against the biasing action of its respective springs 49b and 58b, tilting a portion of the net to permit the immovable obstruction 23 to pass thereunder without disturbing the operation of the other movable cross bar members 43d. The lower edge of the flexible net 53d is loosely or otherwise suitably attached to permit a portion of the net to be lifted Without lifting or otherwise disturbing the adjacent movable cross bar members. As soon as the dredging apparatus has moved sufliciently forward, clear of the obstruction, the spring members 49b and 50b cause the particular displaced movable cross bar member 440 to pivot clockwise back into the raking positron in transverse alignment with the other movable cross bar members. It will thus be appreciated that the dredging operation can be continued without interruption with a plurality of independently acting movable cross bar members.

The various embodiments of the invention described herein can be constructed of any suitable material utilizing any conventional construction methods, although a welded construction of hot rolled steel for the frame is preferred. The flexible net for collecting the marine shells can be of any durable material. The net also can be provided with any suitable means for connecting the same to the frame of the dredging apparatus, so that it can be secured both to the fixed and movable members thereof without becoming damaged. In each of the above mentioned embodiments, it will be appreciated that a sufficient amount of net material is provided to permit movement of the raking means relative to the frame.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water comprising a frame, at least one movable cross bar member operatively connected to said frame for movement relative to said frame in a substantially vertical plane, said cross bar member having a plurality of downwardly projecting raking teeth, a trailing perforate receptacle means having the upper peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said frame and the lower peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said movable cross bar member and biasing means mounted on said apparatus for urging said movable bar member downwardly relative to said frame.

2. An apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water comprising a frame, a movable cross bar member disposed at the rearward end of said frame and pivotally connected to said frame for movement relative thereto in a substantially vertical plane, said cross bar member having a plurality of downwardly projecting raking teeth, a trailing perforate receptacle means having the upper peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said frame and the lower peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said movable cross bar member for vertical movement therewith relative to said upper peripheral mouth portion of said receptacle means and biasing means mounted on said apparatus for urging said movable bar member downwardly relative to said frame.

3. An apparatus suit-able for dredging marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water comprising a frame including a pair of side sections spaced apart at the rearward ends thereof and having a plurality of rigid cross connecting members, a movable cross bar member disposed between said side sections at the lower rearward ends thereof having carrier arms hingedly connected to said side sections for movement thereof relative to said frame in a substantially vertical plane, said movable bar member having a plurality of downwardly projecting raking teeth, a trailing perforate receptacle means having the upper peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said frame and the lower peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said movable cross bar member for vertical movement therewith relative to said upper peripheral mouth portion of said receptacle means and springs interconnecting said carrier arms and said frame for urging said movable cross bar member downwardly relative to said frame.

4. An apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water com-prising a frame including a pair of substantially triangularly shaped side sections connected forwardly at the apices thereof and spaced apart at the rearward ends thereof having a plurality of rigid cross connecting members, a movable cross bar member disposed between said side sections at the lower rearward ends thereof having carrier arms hingedly connected to depending brackets on said side sections for movement therewith relative to said frame in a substantially vertical plane, said movable bar member having a plurality of downwardly projecting raking teeth, a trailing receptacle means consisting of a perforate flexible material having the upper peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to a rigid cross member interconnecting the upper rearward ends of said side frames, portions of the said peripheral mouth portions thereof secured to the rearward ends of said side members and the lower peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said movable cross bar member for vertical move- 6 ment therewith relative to said upper peripheral mouth portion of said receptacle means, springs interconnecting said carrier arms and said side frames for urging said movable bar member downwardly relative to said frame and said frame having runners disposed on the bottom of each side section thereof.

5. An apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water comprising a frame, a movable cross bar member disposed at the rearward end of said frame and pivotally connected to said frame for movement relative thereto in a substantially vertical plane, said cross bar member having a plurality of transversely spaced raking teeth mounted thereon for pivotal movement in substantially vertical planes, a trailing perforate receptacle means having the upper peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said frame and the lower peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said vertical cross bar member for vertical movement therewith relative to the upper peripheral mouth portion of said receptacle means, first biasing means mounted on said apparatus for urging said movable bar member downwardly relative to said frame and second biasing means disposed on said cross bar member for urging said raking teeth downwardly and forwardly relative to said frame.

6. An apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water comprising a frame including a pair of side sections spaced apart at the rearward ends thereof and having a plurality of rigid cross connecting members, a movable cross bar member disposed between said side sections at the lower rearward ends thereof having carrier arms hingedly connected to said side sections for movement thereof relative to said frame in a substantially vertical plane, said cross bar member having a plurality of transversely spaced raking teeth mounted thereon for pivotal movement in substantially vertical planes, a trailing perforate receptacle means having the upper peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said frame and the lower peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said movable cross bar member for vertical movement therewith relative to said upper peripheral mouth portion of said receptacle means, springs interconnecting said carrier arms and said frame for urging said movable member downwardly relative to said frame and each raking tooth mounted on said cross bar member having biasing means for urging the same downwardly and forwardly relative to said frame.

7. An apparatus suitable for dredging; marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water comprising a frame, a plurality of movable cross bar members disposed at the rearward end of said frame and pivotally connected to said frame for movement relative thereto in substantially vertical planes and independently relative to each other, said cross bar members each having a plurality of downwardly projecting raking teeth, a trailing perforate receptacle means having the upper peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said frame and the lower peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said movable cross bar members for vertical movement therewith relative to said upper peripheral mouth portion of said receptacle means and a plurality of biasing means mounted on said apparatus for urging said movable bar members downwardly relative to said frame.

8. An apparatus suitable for dredging marine matter deposited or embedded in an irregular bed of a body of water comprising a frame including a pair of side sections spaced apart at the rearward ends thereof and having a plurality of rigid cross connecting members, a plurality of movable cross bar members disposed between said side sections at the lower rear ends thereof having carrier arms hingedly connected to a transversely extending hanger bar mounted on said side sections for movement therewith relative to said side frame in substantially vertical planes and independently relative to each other, said cross bar members each having a plurality of downwardly projecting raking teeth, a trailing perforate receptacle means having the upper peripheral mouth portion thereof secured to said frame and the lower perforate mouth portions thereof secured to said movable cross bar members for vertical movement therewith relative to said upper peripheral mouth portion of said receptacle means and a plurality of springs interconnecting said carrier arms and a transversely extending anchor bar mounted on said 10 side sections forwardly of said cross bar members for References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 434,099 Sweet Aug. 12, 1890 1,413,944 Sockwell Apr. 25, 1922 1,795,768 Fagan Mar. 10, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS 141,355 Australia May 23, 1951 France May 30, 1932 

1. AN APPARATUS SUITABLE FOR DREDGING MARINE MATTER DEPOSITED OR EMBEDDED IN AN IRREGULAR BED OF A BODY OF WATER COMPRISING A FRAME, AT LEAST ONE MOVABLE CROSS BAR MEMBER OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME IN A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL PLANE, SAID CROSS BAR MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING RAKING TEETH, A TRAILING PERFORATE RECEPTACLE MEANS HAVING THE UPPER PERIPHERAL MOUTH PORTION THEREOF SECURED TO SAID FRAME AND THE LOWER PERIPHERAL MOUTH PORTION THEREOF SECURED TO SAID MOVABLE CROSS BAR MEMBER AND BIASING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID APPARATUS FOR URGING SAID MOVABLE BAR MEMBER DOWNWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME. 